Rally for Jayden: Ken's Legacy Lives On

My name is Nina Kasper, and I’m proud to be Kenny Appel’s niece. I’m writing this with a heavy heart on behalf of our family and especially for Jayden, the incredible young man my uncle raised and loved as his own.

We are devastated to share the sudden and heartbreaking loss of Kenneth E. Appel—known to many as Ken or Kenny—a beloved figure in the motorcycle community and the founder of Apple’s East Coast Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. On the night of May 19th, while doing what he loved most—riding his motorcycle—Ken was tragically killed in a collision with a truck. The details are still under investigation, but the pain of his absence is immediate and profound.

Ken was larger than life—gritty, loyal, and fiercely independent. But beyond the rally and the road, his most important role was one many of you know and one that some never saw: he was a father.

For the past 16 years, Ken raised Jayden, a child from a former relationship, as his own. At the time of his death, he had full physical custody and was in the final stages of securing full legal guardianship. Ken was Jayden’s anchor—his only stable parent, mentor, protector, and biggest champion.

Now 16½ years old, Jayden is a brilliant, driven teen with a passion for engineering and a future full of promise. Ken worked tirelessly to keep him safe, grounded, and dreaming big. That future is now uncertain, and we are determined to keep it on track.

We are raising funds to:

• Cover funeral and memorial expenses

• Support legal fees and guardianship proceedings for Jayden

• Provide for housing, therapy, and essential needs

• Help fund Jayden’s education, including college prep, application fees, and long-term support

Ken didn’t leave behind material wealth—but he gave Jayden everything that mattered: love, loyalty, structure, and belief in what’s possible. Your donation, no matter the size, will help us protect that legacy and give Jayden the stability and opportunities Ken fought so hard to provide.

If we are fortunate enough to surpass our goal, all additional funds will go toward Jayden’s college education and helping him build the future his father envisioned for him.

Thank you for standing with us during this painful time. Please consider donating or sharing this page. Your kindness will ripple forward in the life of an extraordinary young man.